Zinc deficiency and lymphocyte subpopulations. A study by flow cytometry

Zinc deficiency is well known to alter immunity. We report the case of a 18-yr-old female with relapsing Crohn's disease who experienced acrodermatitis enteropathica due to zinc deficiency during total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Blood lymphocytes have been studied by flow cytometry: before zinc treatment an important decrease of T-helper lymphocytes with high level of OKM-5+ lymphocytes had been observed. Zinc-supplemented diet induced within a few days, a rise of T-helper lymphocytes and a proportional reduction of OKM5+ cells. Increased values of high metabolism surface marker (OKT-9) were also observed, as well as cytoplasmic modifications. The authors suggest that lymphocyte surface markers could be useful to monitor TPN in patients at high risk for zinc deficiency.